Susan Flannery Leaving THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Susan Flannery has told the brass at THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL she intends to leave the show. A source tells Soaps in Depth the actress signed a short-term contract with the soap to allow executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell "some time to strategize in terms of storyline."

The news of her departure comes on the heels of Ronn Moss (Ridge) announcing his own exit from the show. A B&B rep confirmed that Flannery recently signed a new contract with the show but states, "It's our policy not to comment on the terms of actors' contracts."

Meanwhile, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) issued a statement on Friday saying she was staying with B&B: "I'm very happy to tell you that I have re-signed my contract with THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL for two more years. Brad has come up with an exciting new storyline for Brooke that I think the fans are going to love."

UPDATE #1:
Flannery reportedly asked to be written out of B&B after 25 years, but the show managed to work out a new deal with the daytime legend. "Susan, for quite some time, was thinking she needed a break or just have some personal time," Executive Producer/Head Writer Bradley P. Bell told Soap Opera Digest. "She's been through a lot personally; we know that she had her own battle with cancer and she’s had such an amazing career that she will continue to have as Stephanie Forrester, but I think it's not so much as a disagreement between her and the show, but more Susan figuring out where she is right now and what she needs. Now, Susan is going to have an incredible time with a new storyline that we've never seen before; something completely unique and interesting."

UPDATE #2:
According to TVLine.com, Flannery is indeed exiting the show in December.

SF has wanted to leave for years and Brad & Bell clan convinced her to stay, but this is the right time for her go...but I DO NOT WANT STEPHANIE TO DIE! She's a viable character to have on canvas...recast with the right age to SF such as Jamie Lyn Bauer...reuniting McCook & Bauer, a different take on Stephanie. Those two ruled a the "IT" couple in mid to late seventies and their chemistry was HOTTTTT!!

I am saddend that Susan is leaving the show. She is one of the most talented actress on daytime T.V. and i have watched her since Days of our Lives. Also i know that it is time to begin another journey in her life and i just want to say thank you Susan for givng us your all!!

I too am sorry to see her leave. I am also very sorry for the show as it seems that it is on it's last leg. The whole Katie/Baby storyline is extremely boring. I'm over the Steffy, Hope, Liam, Thomas, Rick, Caroline love hexagon.

It seems with the cancellation of ATWT and other long running soaps that they whole genre is on it's way out which is a very sad thing indeed.

I used to rush home from school to watch the soaps with my Mom and I grew up on them. I knew that they weren't real but it was so hard not to get caught up in their daily lives. To me, watching soaps was like watching a really long drama movie - you kept getting satisfaction on a daily basis, not just for 90 mins and then it was over.